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Green Flake,one of three men of African Descent whose names are inscribed on the back of the Brigham Young monument |
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Green Flake was born enslaved in North Carolina around 1828, and was a wedding gift to Agnes and James Flake. When they became Mormons and moved to Mississippi in1841. Flake and another enslaved person chose to be baptized too. The family left Mississippi for Nauvoo, Illinois to gather with the Mormons in 1844. He traveled with Brigham Young and the Vanguard Company 3 years later when they established 'Zion' in the Salt Lake Valley of Utah. Two other enslaved men were also part of this first group with Flake and a small group of white men. They formed the advance company in charge of finding the best route for the pioneers. Legend has it that Young's phrase "this is the place, drive on"; was said to Green Flake driving the wagon. |
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Flake wrote of his journey in The Book of the Pioneers,a publication of the Utah Semi-centennial Commission when he learned to read and write later in life. His recollections included Leader Young negotiating with Pawnee Indians to cross the land. |
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After arriving at Zion, Flake built a cabin for James and Agnes Flake then returned to lead them and others back to Utah. He met and married Martha Crosby on this second trip, paying the Crosby family with vegetables for the right to marry her. |
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James Flake was killed while on a church mission and Agnes left to live in California leaving Green and Martha in Utah. The records are unclear whether the arrangement was in lieu of tithing, indenture or enslavement but a request to sell Green and send the proceeds to pay for Agnes' support indicates she still thought of him as property. The letter recorded as letter number 185 in the Brigham Young files of letters at LDS Church Archives reads: "Sister Agnes Flake wishes me to inquire of you if there is any chance for her to receive any help by way of the Negro man she left when she came here. She has a family on her hands for which to provide. Her health is also very delicate and if she could realize something from this quarter it would be a benefit to her. Thomas I. Williams told me if he could, he would purchase the Negro and pay for him. |
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There is no record of a sale but Flake was recorded as being free in the early 1850's establishing himself a farmer and herder in Union Fort. He and his wife Martha continued to be active members of the Mormon Church and some report close friends to founder Brigham Young. After Martha died in 1885, Flake moved to Idaho with his son. He died in 1903. |
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For more information on Filling in the Gaps in American History (F.I.G.A.H) or biographies of people of African Descent who don't usually appear in text books, contact us at [email protected] |
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